As an undergraduate at Rutgers University in the 1970s, Union native Peter Freundlich wasn’t exactly sure what profession to pursue.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do and changed majors four times while I was there,” admitted the current Farmingdale resident. “But I did know that I liked the health care field and wanted to be my own boss.”

Given the fact that “I spent a lot of time in the dentist’s chair as a kid, between cavities and braces,” joked Freundlich, 62, he decided on the field of dentistry and ultimately graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Facing a tough economy in the early 1980s, Freundlich started his own practice right out of dental school and decided to locate in Monmouth County based on its proximity to the beach and horses, two of his lifelong loves.

In 1982, he found and later remodeled professional office space in Aberdeen and officially opened Friendly Dental – named “because some people had difficulty pronouncing my last name, but ‘freundlich’ translates to ‘friendly’ in German, which made it easy,” he said.

Full range of services

At the 2,300-square-foot practice, Friendly Dental offers a full range of services, including everything from porcelain crowns and veneers to implants, cosmetic makeovers, clear braces such as Invisalign, and more.

“We’re also very strong on preventative care,” said Freundlich, whose team of 12 includes himself and fellow dentist Dr. Matthew Homsi, along with four hygienists, four assistants, and several front desk and administrative personnel.

Among trends in the field, “people want to be healthy, look good and keep their teeth for life, so that’s a priority,” Freundlich said, noting that “a great smile is life-changing and impacts both health and self-esteem.”

Among the various ways to achieve that, “adult braces are more popular than ever, as are implants, which involve the placement of a metal post into the bone to replace missing teeth,” a concern which previously required either fixed or removable bridgework or dentures to address.

“Today, however, implants are one of the most durable restorations in dentistry and have extremely high success rates while being an easy and comfortable procedure,” said Freundlich, who added that the field of dentistry has also increasingly converted to the use of lasers and digital imaging, technology which has helped enhance the speed, precision and comfort of procedures.

Regardless of the procedure involved, “my approach is that I want every patient to be a long-term patient,” Freundlich said. “We’re all about strong relationships, one patient at a time. Some of our patients have been with us for over 30 years and in one case, we’ve served five generations of the same family. It’s amazing to see patients we used to treat when they were five years old now bringing in their own 5-year-old kids,” he said.

Welcoming environment

Since first being treated by Freundlich over 30 years ago, Matawan residents Bill Mariano and his wife, Patricia, are among Friendly Dental’s long-term patients.

“All of our kids went there when they were growing up as well as our granddaughters now, and we’ve recommended over 20 people to Dr. Freundlich over the years,” said Mariano, a professor of English at Middlesex County College in Edison.

“They’re a very caring and understanding team, are extremely philanthropic in the community, and are very gentle and careful to explain everything they’re doing to ensure the patient’s comfort,” Mariano said. “The staff at Friendly Dental treats us like family and has created a very welcoming environment.”

While blessed with a wonderful pool of patients, Freundlich said that the dental field isn’t without its challenges.

“It can be difficult to deal with insurance companies, whose controlled prices can make it unfair to both practices and patients,” he said. In addition, “many people fear the dentist, so we work hard to help patients over that by giving them control and making them feel comfortable about asking questions and sharing their concerns.”

One welcome approach to this at Friendly Dental includes the onsite presence of Dobby, a mixed-breed therapy dog who has successfully consoled both children and adults over the years and who many patients look forward to seeing when they visit.

Among opportunities, Freundlich sees the conservative treatment of periodontal disease and a focus on enhancing the health of teeth by treating the gums as a bright spot in the field.

“There’s a thoroughness that’s required and we’re very comprehensive in our exams and cleanings,” he said. “We’re committed to giving patients all the time they need and doing what’s truly in their best interests.”

“I love solving problems, ensuring that our patients are happy and seeing great outcomes,” said Freundlich of the aspects of the job that he enjoys the most.

As Friendly Dental prepares to celebrate its milestone 35th anniversary in September, “we’re excited to keep it going,” he concluded. “I still have enthusiasm for learning and growing and feel like I’m just hitting my prime.”